Frosty mornings make for cold raptors, but it’s been warming up into the 60s during the day. This red-tail had finally gotten warm enough to soar at lunch today but had to make a series of circles to gain any kind of elevation — so kept returning to the same position with each circle. I got these pieces of bird together in this sketch after about five of the circles.

Coming back to work at lunch, a merlin flew overhead in hot pursuit of a house finch. They fly like small peregrines, strong and booking, rather than the more effete kestrels who are only just a little smaller. I don’t think the merlin got the finch — I may have disturbed its concentration. A true thrill, though. I tried to replicate the shape when I got back to my desk.

It must be fall: the red-tail here was flying about. The Swainson’s hawk chicks are learning to kettle with the adults. The great switch should happen in September.

These flight sketches are done fast, in 5 seconds or so, with the color added immediately afterwards — it’s windy today and the birds are moving quickly. But it does keep reappearing and that helps a bit.